Sri Arudra Kabaleeswarar Temple

The Sri Arudra Kabaleeswarar Temple is located in Ezhumathur and is dedicated to God Arudra Kabaleeswarar. This temple was built by a king named Lakshmikanthan. Once when he was performing a yagna, the milk pots taken for the ceremony fell upside down when placed on the floor. When he dug the ground he found blood oozing from the place as if the crowbars had struck something. The shocked king immediately built a temple on the spot. Some of the Kongu Cholas who ruled this region had the name Karikalan during the period of 1004-1280 AD. It is believed that one such Karikalan could have built this temple. One of the Karikalan, with the help of one Samaya Mudali built 36 Shiva temples on the banks of Cauvery. Long ago, a poor weaver Thandavan lived with his family in this area. He used to worship God Arudra Kabaleeswarar every day before proceeding to work. The God, wanting to make the weaver's devotion known to all, went to his house, in the guise of an old man, when the weaver was absent. The weaver's wife was alone in the house. The God told her that He was feeling very cold and begged for a piece of cloth for cover. The woman told the God that she had only one piece but promised to do whatever she could. She asked His address. The God told her that He would be outside the Arudra temple and left. When Thandavan returned from work, his wife told him what happened during his absence. The weaver rushed to his employer and asked for a piece of cloth on credit promising to pay the price in installments. He took the cloth to the old man in the temple. When the temple priest opened the sanctum sanctorum the next morning, he was surprised to see the idol of the God dressed in a new piece of cloth. The Parivattam was absent. He informed the matter to all in the place. The surprised people gathered there, including the weaver's employer who said that he gave the cloth to Thandavan. Thandavan then narrated his experience. No one believed the poor man. They tied him to a pillar and began to beat him. God Shiva then possessed the son of the village head and shouted, "Despite one's own difficulties, he / she should not hesitate to help those poorer than them. To establish this Dharam, I acted through Thandavan", and explained what happened. Devotees began to throng the temple to get the blessings of God Arudra Kabaleeswarar. Sri Kasthuri Ranganathar temple is near this temple.